Camping under the stars in Puerto Rico, what more can a
nature lover ask for? If you enjoy camping, and
want to take part in this activity on your visit,
then brace yourself for a pleasant surprise. Puerto Rico has many camping options from which to chose.
The island features campgrounds in the mountains, foothills, karst regions* and
on selected beaches. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
(DNER) oversees many sites in several Forest Reserves
and Wildlife Refuges. The government also runs five campgrounds with cabins.
Campsites run by independent operators exist, as well. Many of the campsites are
located far from San Juan, and you will need transportation to reach them. For first time
campers, I recommended
campsites in Toro Negro, Rio Abajo and Culebra Island. These sites are by far the
safest. They're well maintained, and have exceptional accommodations.

The Cordillera Central is an extensive mountain
range that transects Puerto Rico from east to west. Huge mountain forests blanket the country side at several locations
along this range. The highest point is at 4,000 feet. The temperature is a
typical 70 to 75 degrees during the day. At night It can drop to a cool 60 degrees. The forests offer visitors
some excellent options for camping. At high elevations the rivers are clean enough to drink. There's
also plenty of
opportunity for swimming and fishing.

The Carite Forest is located in the eastern region of
the Cordillera Central, east of Cayey. The facility features two campgrounds. The Forest has a short winding
trail that ends at the Charco Azul Recreational area pond and the first
campground. It can hold 50 people on 10 campsites. A second campground, the Guavate Recreational Area,
is at the opposite end of the Forest. It holds 30 people on 6 campsites. Both
grounds have campfire, bathrooms, showers and outhouses. Recreation includes the
Rio Patillas recreational areas and Charco Azul pool. Nearby Lake Carite has
developed family style villas and a fishing facility. To reach the Carite Forest
from San Juan travel
highway 52 south towards Ponce. Between Caguas and Cayey take Route
184.

North of the town of Villalba you'll find the Toro Negro Forest, the highest peak along the Cordillera Central
and the highest geological structure in all the island.
Los Viveros campgrounds is located in the Reserve between the
highest lakes on the island,
Lake Matrullas and Lake Guineo.
Los Viveros holds up to 35 people on 7 campsites. Other campsite configurations are
acceptable. Cabins
are available around the lakes. Camping
facilities include water, campfire,
bathrooms, showers and outhouses. The
Doña Juana Recreational Area offers a great hour hike to
an observation tower, the Salto de Dona Juana (waterfall) and a natural-water public swimming pool.
Visitors can also
hike 750' down the sides of a steep
canyon, the San Cristobal Canyon. This volcanic rift is 10 degrees warmer at
the bottom, were a stream exists. The Guineo and Matrullas man
made
lakes are stocked with plenty of bass, catfish, sunfish, tilapia and sardines.
Fly fishing and kayaking is encouraged. Six
bird species are commonly seen throughout. To reach Toro Negro State Forest from San Juan, take Expressway 52
South toward Ponce. At the Juana Diaz exit, take Road 149 North toward Villalba.
Continue to Route 143 and follow this road to the campsite entrance at Km.
31.8.

The Guilarte Forest is located in the western region of
the Cordillera Central, just west of Adjuntas. There's no camping allowed, but there's
an area called
Las Cabañas where 5 cabins are rented and will hold a capacity of
30 people. For about $20 per night your cabin is equipped with no electricity,
water, campfire, bunk beds (some with mattresses), Bathroom, with shower barbecue
facilities. Reservations are required in advance.

There are to ways of reaching Monte Guilarte State Forest, from San Juan.
Take Expressway
22
toward Arecibo to the Route 10 exit. Take this passed Utuado to Adjuntas exit and
take Road 135. Follow it to Road 131 and continue on 131 to the campsite
entrance. A second way is to take highway #52 South toward Ponce. At Ponce
switch to highway 2 to Guayanilla. Take highway #10 North to Adjuntas. Catch
Road #518 to Guilarte Peak.

Lago Lucchetti Wildlife Refuge is located near Yauco in the western expanse
of the Cordillera
Central foothills. The campgrounds at Lake Lucchetti Recreational Area holds a
capacity of 71 people. The grounds are equipped with bathrooms, showers and
tables. Recreational facilities include a boat ramp and picnic areas. To reach
the Lago Lucchetti Wildlife Refuge, take Expressway 52 to Ponce and
Route 2 to the Yauco exit. Then take Road 128 to the refuge entrance at Km.
12.3.

Susúa State Forest is located between Lago Lucchetti Wildlife Refuge and
Sabana Grande in the western expanse of the Cordillera
Central foothills. Two campgrounds are located in this region. The campgrounds
at
Almáclgo I holds a capacity of 100 people on 25 campsites.
Almáclgo II holds a capacity of 75 people on 15 campsites. Both facilities
include water, campfire, bathrooms, showers, ball courts, bike paths, recreational
area and a river. To reach Susúa State Forest from San Juan, take Expressway 52 to Ponce
and Route 2 to Yauco. In Yauco switch to Road 368 and continue to Km. 2.1.

Guajataca State Forest is located west of Quebradillas in the northwest
region of Puerto Rico. The campground at Vereda hold 50 people on 10 campsites.
Facilities include water, campfire, bathrooms, showers. Recreational area
includes 25 miles of trails, Cueva
del Viento ('wind
cave), Lake Guajataca Recreational Area. To reach the Guajataca State
Forest from San Juan, take Expressway to Route 2. Head west to the Road 446 exit between Quebradillas and Isabela. Take this
road to the entrance of the facilities.

The Cambalache State Forest is located in the North Central region of the
island near Barceloneta. The Forest has two campgrounds. La Boba campground accommodates
14 people on 4 campsites. La Rosa campground holds 35 people
on 8 campsites. Facilities include water, campfire, bathrooms, showers,
outhouses. Recreation includes various trails including bike trails.

To reach the Cambalache State Forest take Expressway 22 from San Juan to
Arecibo and exit at Route 140.

Rio Abajo State Forest is located in the North Central region of Puerto Rico
west of the Cambalache State Forest. The María Soto campground holds 40 persons.
This facility features water, campfire, bathrooms, showers, gazebos and tables.
Recreational areas include caves, hiking trails, Lake Dos Bocas, Río Abajo (river).

To reach Rio Abajo State Forest from San Juan, take Expressway 22 west toward
Arecibo. Turn south on Route 10 toward Utuado. Turn west on Route 621 and
continue to Km. 4.4 and the park entrance.

Mona Island is located about 50 miles west of Cabo Rojo. This nature refuge
has evolved into a well balanced ecosystem, and features many trails,
caves, cliffs and pristine shores with the clearest waters you'll find this side of
the Caribbean. A diversity of land and marine life flourish here including sea turtles, whales,
exotic birds and giant iguanas. In addition visitors to the island will find a
multitude of species of plant and tree life and insects.

Three campgrounds exist on the Island. Pájaros campground accommodates 30
people, Sardinera 75 people and Uvero
30 during hunting season only. the Sardinera campground features
bathrooms and showers. Recreational areas include a museum, information center, caves,
cliffs, hiking trails and coral reefs.

The only way to get to the island is by boat, and it must cross
into the Mona
passage. This body of water is treated with the utmost respect because of its
rough reputation. There
is no drinking water on
the Island so don't forget to take your own. Reach Mona Island Wildlife Refuge by private charter, tour operators
or fishing boats from Puerto Real in Cabo Rojo.

You will need camping permits for all the DNER campgrounds mentioned above.
Call the forest service offices at 724-3724 or 724-3647
for information
on permits and regulations, or obtain them in the San Juan Offices next to
San Juan Bay Marina. The average price for a camping spot is about
$4 per person, per night.
Cabins in Guilarte go for $20 for up to 4 persons. They also handle permits for trips to Mona Island.
A quick reference table is available below with
information on some popular sites mentioned.

The government sponsors five campgrounds with cabins at Añasco,
Boqueròn, Humacao, Maricao and Punta Guilarte. The cabins accommodate up
to six guests. Amenities include barbecues, refrigerators and
stoves. For Information and pricing, call the government's Recreation
Development Company at 722-1551 or 722-1772.

The US Forest Service oversees the
Caribbean National Forest. The Forest is a popular tourist site known to the
locals as 'El Yunque Rain Forest.'

El Yunque is located in the northeast region of the
Island. It features one of the most popular hiking sites on the largest area of
forest in Puerto Rico. When you enter El Yunque from highway # 3 you'll be on road #191. A short
drive on this road will take you to El Portal visitor
center. This is where you can get a camping permit. There is no fee for the
permit. Just make sure you get to El Portal before 3pm. You can also
get a camping permit at the field station a little further up on the north side of
road #191.

There are no specified campgrounds in El Yunque, and no facilities. With your
permit, you are allowed to camp anywhere in the forest. There is one small
snack concession at the side of the road on your way up on road #191. There's over 13 miles (20.8 km) of
well maintained trails, some of which can take as long as 4 hours to complete.
A favorite trail is the 30-minute walk to La Mina waterfall from the Palo Colorado Visitor Information
Center & Picnic Area. The South side of the mountain has no facilities,
and scarcely any tourists. Most of the trails begin from Route #191. At higher
altitudes the river waters are immaculate.

Recreation includes jumping into one of the
mountain streams and waterfalls! Watch out! It's cold! You can also try to hike up
a trail to Mt. Britton, in the dwarf forest. Remember! This is a rain forest and
everything is commonly wet.

Like everywhere else on the island you have to look after your personal
property especially if you are camping over night. Thievery is not
uncommon by the roads if property is left unattended. Thieves do not
wonder far into
the forest, so don't camp near a road or trail.

Camping is allowed on Vieques Island. You'll find Bioluminescent
Mosquito Bay, several lagoons, mangrove canals plus three of the most
beautiful beaches this side of the Caribbean. Here on the south side of
the island kayakers are welcomed for an evening and day excursion in
Mosquito Bay. There are a
few bathing facilities on the beaches. On the south side, Sun Bay provide coastal campgrounds. Permits are required for
all sites. Call 721-2800 or 636-6340 for more information.

Culebra Island is a popular place to camp especially
during the winter. The campground is located on the lovely Flamenco Beach.
For $10. per tent you get water and toilets. Drinking the water is not
recommended. A bus trip into town for supplies is a snap. The campgrounds
are well protected at night, with guards. Recreational areas include the
snorkeling, sun bathing, and hiking. The island gets very crowed during
the summer. Reach Culebra Island by ferry from Fajardo or Vieques
Island. You can also fly there from the mainland.

T.J.
Ranch does not feature camping any more.
They have private cabins at $100. for double occupancy and breakfast. Each cabins
has a porch. You must reserve a cabin in advance. Email tjranch@caribe.net
or call 880-1217 for more information.

Villas Mar is a private farm on the beach in Isabela. Cabins and some tent
sites are available for $10. per night. Inquire with the main office about
horseback riding. Villas Mar can be reached off road #411 in Isabela. Call
872-2045 for more information.

This 12 acres exotic fruit farm is locate north of Naguabo off the
perimeter of El Yunque rain forest on road #191. Rent cabins there for $35
and night. several
tent sites are also available. Ask for Robin as your guide to the petroglyphs and forest
area. For more
information call 874-2138, or write to: Phillips, HC1 box 4449, Naguabo, PR 00718
.

On the South of the island in Arroyo, there are coastal
campgrounds in Punta Guilarte. Bathing facilities are included. Permits are required for
all sites. Call 721-2800 or 636-6340 for more information.

During the evening you will be continually serenaded by Puerto Rico's tiny tree
frogs the coqui. 'Killer bees' have migrated to this island, so stay away from bee hives.
You'll find snakes and scorpions, none of which they tell me are lethal. A law was passed in 1995 forbidding camping
on public beaches, so only camp on beaches that are designated campsites. Always
be on the lookout
for petty-theft in areas that are not patrolled, especially at night.

For your convenience we have provided you
with a summary of the above information in an easy to read Quick Reference
Table format. Directions to all sites can be found at the end of each
article above.

Both
grounds have campfire, bathrooms, showers and outhouses. Recreation includes the
Rio Patillas recreational areas and Charco Azul pool. Nearby Lake Carite has
developed family style villas and a fishing facility.

$10. per tent. You get water and toilets. Drinking the water is not
recommended. A bus trip into town for supplies is a snap. The campgrounds
are well protected at night, with guards. Recreational areas include the
snorkeling, sun bathing, and hiking.

Cabins
are available around the lakes. Camping
facilities include water, campfire,
bathrooms, showers and outhouses. The
Doña Juana Recreational Area offers a hike to
an observation tower, the Salto de Dona Juana (waterfall) and a natural-water public swimming pool.
Hike 750' down the sides of a steep
canyon, the San Cristobal Canyon. The Guineo and Matrullas man
made
lakes are stocked with plenty of bass, catfish, sunfish, tilapia and sardines.
Fly fishing and kayaking is encouraged. Six
bird species are commonly seen throughout.

On the South of the island in
Arroyo, there are coastal campgrounds in Punta Guilarte. Bathing facilities
are included. Permits are required for
all sites. Call 721-2800 or 636-6340 for more information.

Sun Bay provide coastal campgrounds. Permits are required. You'll find Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, several lagoons, mangrove
canals plus three of the most beautiful beaches this side of the Caribbean.
Here on the south side of the island kayakers are welcomed for an evening
and day excursion in Mosquito Bay. There are a
few bathing facilities on the beaches. On the south side, Sun Bay provide coastal campgrounds. Permits are required.

With your permit, you are allowed to camp
anywhere in the forest. Must hike to one snack concession. There's over 13 miles (20.8 km) of
well maintained trails. Recreation includes jumping into one of the,
mountain streams and waterfalls! Also hike up a trail to Mt. Britton, in the dwarf forest.